History of Mass General

Construction of the Paul S. Russell, MD, Museum of Medical History and Innovation reached a high point April 15 when the museum's namesake, construction workers and guests participated in a "topping out" ceremony at the construction site on the corner of Cambridge and North Grove streets.

Paul S. Russell, MD, Museum of Medical History and Innovation

22/Apr/2011

Beam signing: Russell was among those who signed the last beam placed atop the structure.

Construction of the Paul S. Russell, MD, Museum of Medical History and Innovation reached a high point April 15 when the museum's namesake, construction workers and guests participated in a "topping out" ceremony at the construction site on the corner of Cambridge and North Grove streets. An age-old tradition that celebrates the placing of the last structural beam on a building, the topping out ceremony typically includes an evergreen tree on the final beam to symbolize growth and bring luck. In addition to Russell, guests included Peter Johnson, director of the museum; John Herman, MD, vice chair of the MGH History Committee and associate chief of Psychiatry; Hubert Murray, manager of Sustainable Initiatives; Dave Hanitchak, director of Planning and Construction; and Robert Seger, executive director of Emergency Services and Emergency Preparedness and former administrative director of the MGH History Committee. Beam signing: Russell was among those who signed the last beam placed atop the structure.